'Law & Order: SVU': Mariska Hargitay Returns for Season 15 After All

Though NBC's long-running 'Law & Order: SVU' has already been renewed for a fifteenth season by the time of the Upfront presentations, less certain was the return of franchise staple Mariska Hargitay, whose negotiations remains incomplete even as of the most recent season 14 finale. The cliffhanger left Detective Olivia Benson's fate in a rather precarious place, but now Hargitay has officially confirmed her season 15 return. Get the latest details on 'Law & Order's future inside!

'Law & Order: SVU' fans can breathe a sigh of relief, as whatever happens to series staple Olivia Benson in the most recent season 14 cliffhanger "Her Negotiation" (heh), Mariska Hargitay will return to the character in season 15. The actress' contract had yet to be renewed at the time of filming, hence the option-leaving bullet-to-the-head cliffhanger, but Hargitay herself announced over Twitter she would indeed return.

No details of the deal have yet been released, though as TVLine points out Hargitay netted approximately $500,000 per episode in season 14, making her the highest-paid actress currently on TV.

Well, what say you? Are you relieved to hear Detective Olivia Benson will return for another year of 'Law & Order: SVU?" Where would you like to see a 15th season go now that Mariska Hargitay has elected to return to the series?